Radio-Coteau works closely with select cool-climate coastal vineyard sites in Western Sonoma County and Anderson Valley to offer wines with vibrant, balanced fruit and a distinct sense of place.

Radio-Coteau is crafting unique expressions of sites and seasons by focusing on detailed and sustainable viticulture in conjunction with a natural, non-interventionalist approach in the cellar. We actively collaborate with our growers to enhance the character of each site by promoting vine balance and healthy soil. Allowing the wine to evolve naturally during vinification and elevage preserves the integrity of the vineyard and the vintage.

 

The 2006 vintage started late, as had the year before, but once the vines got started they took off like a shot. Due to late rains, excess available moisture in the soil led to vigorous canopy development continuing into the summer, with warm weather further enabling growth. The weather cooled somewhat after veraison, and the heat spikes that usually arrive in early September never showed.

A period of heavy morning fog and high humidity led to outbreaks of botrytis by mid-September throughout the North Coast. Our growers worked hard to combat the infection, clearing leaves and dropping fruit on multiple passes. As a result, the Chardonnay and Pinot Noir were picked cleanly with good phenological ripeness under cool, overcast skies. Finally, in late October, the weather cleared and turned warm again, just in time to finish off the Zinfandel and Syrah.

In fact, 2006 may prove to be the perfect season for cool-climate Syrah, which benefited from what some would call a “continental” climate pattern. Most of the heat arrived mid-season, ahead of schedule, and the weather turned moderate late, which is more common in continental climes. This pattern enhanced aromatics in the Syrahs and plumped up mid-palate textures significantly. Most of our wines, in fact, are more approachable in their youth than the 2005s, with a riper core of fruit and a less overtly structured palate.

2005 Vintage

 

Click link above. 

 

This section will be dedicated to exploring impressions and images of the winegrowing culture on the North Coast.

Vince "The Hat" Pedroia's cowboy poetry, from his collection A Mano:

"A Mano"
"Horseshoe Bend"

Vince Pedroia planted
Cherry Camp Vineyard in 2001.
©2006 by Vince Pedroia
All Rights Reserved
For additional copies or to
purchase the collection,
email vpedroia@monitor.net.

Vince Pedroia
   
Paul Sequeira

Paul Sequeira's "Vinophilia"
Wine Columns:

"Wine Tension"
"Vintage Luck"

Paul lives in Western Sonoma
County, and works with Radio-
Coteau in sales and viticulture.
©2007 by Paul Sequeira
All Rights Reserved
inquiry@radiocoteau.com

 
Radio-Coteau (rā´dē ō´ - kō´ tō) adj. A colloquial expression suggesting “word of mouth.” Region: Northern Rhone.
Literal Translation: broadcasting from the hillside.

Winegrower Eric Sussman first heard the expression radio coteau from a friend while living and working in Burgundy. More than a preference for how you discover these wines, the name reflects a commitment to capturing reflections of soil, seasons, people and place.



© 2008 Radio-Coteau Wine Cellars, LLC Customer Service